Information on this page is for the teacher. Background and suggestions are included here to enhance instruction. It is divided by the pages included in the webquest.
Introduction
This assignment is used in a ninth grade health class. Lancer Health is a
semester course so this assignment is given twice a year. The health teacher
and library media specialist developed this webquest collaboratively.
Students have four full weeks to work on this project (see Timeline). To begin, ask students to read carefully, the Introduction. Ask if there are any questions. From here they should go to Task.
Task
Information on this page should
explain thoroughly what the student is expected to accomplish in this webquest.
The most challenging aspect of this project will be for students to sort out
true facts from bias/opinion related to these issues. For example, when using
information from a web site, they may need to do research on the organization
that maintains the web site.
Explain to students that enough information has been provided to complete the assignment. The focus of their research will be on reading and organizing the information as they develop their arguments.
Point out that at least four resources must be used to develop arguments to support their positions. No more than two web sites are to be used. Remind students that it is important to evaluate every web site. Use the link to see what needs to be looked at specifically.
Students may do research on their own. The link to additional resources gives them ideas for other sources to consult for information. Some examples of helpful search strategy are also provided.
Be sure to allow time for students to check the evaluation and timeline links.
Process
First day in the computer lab
1. Selecting an issue and role of a
community member are the first steps. Allow time for students to select one
or two articles provided for the issue selected. You may use the following
example to show what you mean by identifying articles.
Let's say the issue selected is cloning. The student is assuming the role of a university professor involved in stem cell research. The following articles were selected, read and identified:
Human cloning: toward a brave new world. (moral issues relating to human cloning) Leon R. Kass.
Current March-April 2001 p9 (1) This article was selected because it's important to know what the issues are.Baby, It's You! And You, And You... Renegade scientists say they are ready to start applying the technology of cloning to human beings. Can they really do it, and how scary would that be?
Time Feb 19, 2001 p46+ (2) This article was selected in order to know what the opposition believesThe Human Cloning Foudation (3) This web site was selected because it fully supports all research on human cloning and that is my position.
2 and 3. Students will begin taking notes from
the articles and web sites linked from their issue page. They should number
each of the articles (1,2,3, etc) to match the source with the notes were taken
from. This will be helpful to them for at least two reasons:
1) if they need to clarify something in their notes and 2 at the end of the
project when they need to create a works cited page.
Students should complete reading and note taking from at least two articles.
4. If needed, they may also use some of this time to research on their own.
Remind students they have one or two days before the outline/mind map is due.
5. They should be making contacts to set up an interview.
At the end of the project, time should be given for students to evaluate themselves on how they think they did on the project. The following instrument may be used for that purpose. In addition, it may provide helpful information to improve the webquest.
Facts & Feuds Evaluation: How did I do?
1. I began reading and thinking soon enough so that I had time to process the
information before I started to write.
_____ yes _____ no
2. What did I learn?
3. I used Inspiration to organize my notes as I read. _____ yes _____ no
4. What I need to remember next time:
5. I did additional research.
_____ Infotrac _____ EBSCO _____ web sites _____ books
_____ Other (explain) _____________________________________________________
6 . I evaluated the web sites I used. _____ yes _____ no
Comments:
7. I used the interactive works cited form. _____ yes _____ no
Comments:
8. Did you look at the rubrics BEFORE turning in your paper? _____ yes _____
no
Comments:
9. What did you learn that you should remember with the next research project?
10. I thought the webquest was/was not a helpful assignment because: